Vitro has inaugurated its new Line 2 furnace at the Meadville plant in Pennsylvania, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion into the solar energy supply chain. The $180 million investment strengthens Vitro’s capacity to produce advanced glass front-sheets for First Solar’s thin-film photovoltaic modules, a critical component for the rapidly growing U.S. solar manufacturing ecosystem.

According to company projections, the expansion is expected to generate over $1.3 billion in revenue within the next decade, while supporting domestic clean-energy goals. Beyond industrial benefits, the project also delivers a strong boost to local employment, creating about 130 permanent jobs and dozens of supporting positions.

The furnace launch underscores Vitro’s strategy to localize high-tech glass production in North America — reducing dependence on overseas suppliers and aligning with federal incentives for solar manufacturing under the Inflation Reduction Act.